PEOPLE in Oxfordshire with hidden disabilities like dementia and autism could soon have greater access to blue badges.

The proposals, which would be the biggest change since the blue badge was introduced almost 50 years ago, would extend those who qualified to people with mental health conditions.

Currently, about 2.4 million disabled people in England have a blue badge, allowing them to park on roads without charge and normally without time limit.

Around 75 per cent of blue badge holders say they would go out less often if they didn’t have one.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: “Blue badges give people with disabilities the freedom to get jobs, see friends or go to the shops with as much ease as possible.

“We want to try to extend this to people with invisible disabilities, so they can enjoy the freedom to get out and about, where and when they want.”

The changes could also see a variety of healthcare professionals, who are better placed to identify if mental health causes mobility issues, carry out assessments to determine if a blue badge should be given.

Councils have different interpretations of the existing rules with some recognising hidden disabilities, but the changes proposed would give a clear and consistent guidelines for the whole of England.

A consultation on the proposed changes will last eight weeks.

It is available at gov.uk.